THE REGGIO EMILIA APPROACH TO EARLY YEARS EDUCATION



THE REGGIO EMILIA APPROACH TO EARLY YEARS EDUCATION

LEADER’S NOTES

In educational terms the northern Italian town of Reggio Emilia has become renowned worldwide for its forward thinking and exemplary approach to early childhood education. This publication sets out to explain ‘the Reggio approach’ and outline the inherent factors. It also explores the possible translation or adaptation of aspects of this pedagogical approach to Scotland.

Points to Consider:

“Time, and how children and adults use it, is central to the Reggio philosophy. The rhythm and pace of the child is always given overriding importance . . . This means really having time for children’s thoughts and ideas, and giving value to their work, their conversations and their feelings by slowing down to listen to them.”

The Reggio Emilia Approach Page 21

Time Required: 90-105 minutes

Focus: to raise awareness of the organisation of the daily routine, the organisational impetus for this routine and to let practitioners reflect on their opportunities to listen to children’s thoughts, ideas and conversations.

Preparation and Resources:

• photocopy enough activity sheets for the group

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• flip chart and pens

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Leader’s Notes:

The purpose of this activity is to encourage staff to consider whether the daily routine experienced by the children is one which follows the children’s learning interests or is one that is driven by an ‘adult timetable’.

Some of the areas the groups might mention are

external constraints

timetabled use of certain areas,

meeting staff conditions of service requirements,

feeling constrained to cover specific planned activities within a specific timetable

routines exist because ‘it has always been done this way’

availability of organisational ‘prompts’ that provide children with time to know that a change of activity is near

the staff have the flexibility to respond to individuals and their interests

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